Sydney’s Best Chrissie Events
What’s on in Sydney town
The City of Sydney has a lot of things to do and see before Santa comes along. There is a Christmas tree that will excite the whole family, the LEGO Tree at outside Westfield Pitt St Mall, the eye-catching Swarovski Crystal tree at the Queen Victoria Building and the classic, interactive Martin Place Christmas Tree where a choir will perform every night from 6pm-8pm.
St Mary’s Cathedral once again will project images on the building – a mesmerising experience that the whole family will enjoy. There are also a range of opportunities to hear carols there.
Taylor Square will light up with food, arts and music on the 18th of December. This event is a part of the Sydney Sustainable Market and will take place between 4pm-9pm.
If you absolutely adore snow globes, Market City will host the largest snow globe that Sydneysiders and Australians has ever seen! Market City is running a selfie competition, tag @marketcity #mcsnowglobe to win $1000.
And the classic story of the Nutcracker will be brought to life at the Sydney Opera House this December with the Australian Ballet Company.
Each event is diverse and family friendly for each and everyone to enjoy the essence of Christmas.
An Island Christmas with Anu
Everyone knows the iconic Christmas songs: Jingle Bells, Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer and Winter Wonderland. However, in Australia, these songs don’t make much sense when our holidays are spent lazing about in pools of our own sweat. No one knows this more than ARIA-award winning musician, Christine Anu, who has released her first Christmas album aptly titled Island Christmas.
Being in the music industry for more than 20 years, Anu has five studio albums under her belt, but this year she wanted to tackle something she’s never done before. “[Island Christmas] is not a traditional album,” Anu explains. “It celebrates what Christmas is like in Australia, in particular the song Island Christmas.” The album is comprised of a twelve-song track list that feature traditional and contemporary Christmas songs. Earlier this month, the music video for Island Christmas was released on December 2nd on YouTube.
“My two children, Kuiam and Zipporah, feature on this album in the songs Island Christmas and Ooh, Child! and my mother translated a verse from the song Silent Night into the Torres Strait Islander language.”
The album, Island Christmas, includes not only her family members but also the beloved TV presenter Jay Laga’aia and The Voice’s Steve Clisby. “Working with Jay and Steve was such a pleasure and I’m thankful that they are featured on this album,” Anu continues. “I worked with Jay on Playschool and this was a nice change of scenery.”
The song that Laga’aia and Anu sing together is Carol of the Drum/ Peace on Earth. This song is reprised with the melodic background of a guitar heightened by their vocals. It is an absolutely beautiful and soothing Christmas tune. “This is a very special album as it encapsulates the essence of Christmas in Australia and I’m very proud of it.”
Anu will also be playing at this year’s Woolworths’ Carols in the Domain. Some of the musicians on the lineup are Samantha Jade, Judith Durham (The Seekers), Mark Vincent, Lee Kernaghan and even the cast of Wicked.
“If I told you what songs I’m going to play at Carols in the Domain I would probably have to kill you,” Anu says jokingly. “But it is definitely a surprise worthwhile!”
This is the 32rd year of the Woolworths Carols in the Domain and it will take place on the 20th of December. If you cannot make it to the event, never fear, Woolworths Carols in the Domain will be broadcasted live on the Seven Network from 8:30pm.
Written by Erika Vass
